In early May, Hoa Sensei, Richard, Maggie and I traveled to Iwama to study Aikido and to learn along the way that there is a correct way to do everything (of which we were painfully unaware).Our lack of knowledge applied to small things such as the direction that your shoes should point when leaving them outside of a room (the toes should always point away from the door) and to larger matters such as don’t put your feet on the foot rest.Fortunately, Jordan was there to act as our cultural ambassador.

Hitohiro yellsAikidoka look quick..Glad it isn’t me

​The key to navigating through these seemingly ever changing shoals of etiquette is to watch what everyone else does and then shamelessly mimic them. Blending is not only a principle of Aikido it appears to be the primary organizing force of Japanese life.​To be successful at blending you must not display any initiative when starting a task and then you must disregard any notion of efficiency while completing the task. Because if you finish your task early there won’t’ be anyone to mimic, which means you will be standing around, and if you attempt to start something new you rise unwittingly violating some deeply held custom. In either case, you won’t be blending.

Rain fall so no choresA quick nap before keikoOr shokudo chat

​The typical day at Iwama starts at 5:15am when the Japanese Uchi Deshi slide open the shoji panels that enclose the mat upon which everyone sleeps. By 5:30 all of the gaijin uchi-deshis have put away their futons and have begun vacuuming the mat, sweeping the grounds, or rearranging the plums that have fallen to the ground during the night. This usually takes about an hour at which time everyone heads into the kitchen for a nourishing breakfast of peanut butter and jelly toast that has been prepared by the person who has been designated Toban for the day.​The Toban is responsible of preparing breakfast, lunch and dinner. This duty rotates among all the uchideshi and results vary as much as one would expect. One day we managed to have scrambled eggs from the previous night for breakfast, scrambled eggs with bits of corn for lunch, and scrambled eggs with rice for dinner.

Toban today meansEight starved uchi deshi andJust 2000 yen

Fortunately, this was followed by Richard’s culinary tour de force.He managed to shop for and prepare a three course lunch and dinner (no small feat when you don’t speak the language and when most of the packaged items at the grocery store have artful, if not cryptic, pictures of the contents.He managed to impress both the French and Japanese uchi deshi with the overall presentation and the taste of the meal.

Dried cuttlefish snacksHagan daz and asahiA trip to hot spar

​The first class of the day is a weapons class that starts at 8:00am and lasts for about an hour. After class the gaijin soto-deshi usually stay to practice and gossip for about half an hour before heading off to work.

​The evening class doesn’t start until 7:00pm so the rest of the day can be used for sightseeing. We managed to spend an inordinate amount of time traveling by train to Mito, which Richard accurately described as the Fresno of Japan.

However, the primary objective was to appear busy while Saito Sensei tirelessly worked around the yard with a variety of power tools. No, you shouldn’t ask if you can help, that is also a breach of etiquette. It is far better to ride aimlessly on a train or perhaps nap in the little room next to the dojo among the suitcases and the clutter that ten people living in close quarters generate. Or as Maggie discovered, sit with an open Japanese language text on the sofa outside while the day gently slips past.

Butterflies wind dance--The limitlessDojo afternoon

The evening class consists of Saito Sensei effortlessly demonstrating a different technique or variation of the previous technique every ten minutes. Everyone then executes these techniques with great force and intensity. As a beginning student, I just tried to work on getting the feel of a technique.However, I often found that my training partners were very willing to clarify the finer points of the technique that I was merely simulating.

Aiki spirit onthe mat and within the beamsO-sensei looks on

Saito Sensei occasionally provides an opportunity to rest when he selects the student who is making the most irritating mistake and has them perform their version of the technique in front of the class. The he deconstructs it. This can be a great learning experience (technical pointers from a ninth dan are certainly something to remember) and, initially, it can also be an incredibly intimidating experience.

Hazy morningTraining under sensei’s eye“Da-me” time again

However, I think I have to agree with Maggie who so eloquently stated, “Iwama. Why it’s more relazing than a day at the beach.” Although, in truth, it wasn’t like any beach that I have ever visited.​It was a lot of fun. And, if you ever have the opportunity, you should go.

This article was submitted as part of a requirement for 3rd Dan test. At the Oakland dojo, students testing for shodan and above are required to write an essay on an Aikido-related subject. These are some good notes for anyone testing at any level..

"Test like you train, and train like you test"​Words of wisdom that I once heard from a teacher, appreciated, and didn’t really follow. For a long time I figured it was a nice way to encourage consistency, but not something that should be taken literally. After all, there are so many different kinds of training, from fast and sloppy to slow and deliberate, with all sorts of wild variations in between. Tests are by the book, serious, with only the most specific and correct techniques allowed for display. Everyone knows that tests are special. Or are they?

The truth is that by putting tests on a pedestal like this we are adding unnecessary pressure on ourselves every time we go up for promotion. It’s understandable- Aikido is not a competitive sport, but sometimes we all crave the rush of the Big Game. A dan test can feel like the World Series, and a publicdemo can be our Superbowl.​During these occasions, we want to display the best technique that we can perform, but there are several ways in which the testing atmosphere is different from normal class. There is the pressure of being ‘on stage’ with everyone watching, the mental stress of recalling a variety of techniques from memory, and the physical strain of continuous movement. How can we rise to the occasion during these biggest moments? The mindset of “Test like you train, and train like you test,” is our most valuable tool.

Setting Test Goals​To make your training relevant to testing, you must set goals for each test, and then work towards them every day. Make them specific- not just something like “do good Aikido” or “pass the next exam.” Familiarize yourself with the specific test requirements, then consider what you would like to improve on from your last test.

​For beginners, memorizing the vocabulary is a priority, and as you work your way up, teachers will provide specific advice about the expectations for your level. You can also add more personal goals- perhaps you would like to have a bolder kiai, or more balance, or set a better pace. If you’re not sure what to work on, it is very helpful to review the notes that the teachers gave you after your last test. Video of previous tests can also be very revealing, both to find flaws in your practice and confirm the things you are doing right.​Once you have particular goals, keep them in mind during regular practice. Even if the class is not about something relevant to your next test, consider how it applies to the context of your goals and your current level.

Physical Preparation​Kyuu tests often come in bunches, and during test season you can expect a lot of attention to specific requirements during class. However, keiko is primarily focused on the technical dos and don’ts, and you can’t presume that you will become test-ready just by showing up. How can you test like you train when the pace of a test is so different?​There are actually two components to test pacing: speed and stamina. To train for correct speed, you need to set a baseline for how fast you wish to demonstrate a technique. This should be slow enough to maintain clarity, but appropriately fluid for your rank. During keiko, mentally acknowledge when you are going faster or slower, and make sure you get some repetitions at baseline speed. To train for stamina, bear in mind that during a test you won’t be stopping between each move to discuss or catch your breath, so train this way as much as possible. It is also helpful to train outside of class with a focus on aerobics and developing endurance.

Mental Preparation​One of the benefits of martial arts is the ability to respond to unexpected situations. When a crisis arises, we wish to act rather than be paralyzed by shock and fear, and testing is a good way to sharpen this response.

The anxiety of performing alone in front of your peers is enough to get your heart pounding, and there are many things that can happen during a test to throw off your focus. In order to demonstrate your best technique, it is important to enter a test with the proper mental attitude. “Train like you test” means taking every regular class seriously, and developing a sense that every action you take and every keiko is important, not just another day on the mat.

By fostering a spirit of readiness, you won’t have to change any part of your attitude when test time comes around. The more you can make a test feel like normal training, the more consistent your performance will be. During class, imagine that everyone is watching you all the time, even if nobody is. Regard even the simplest of exercises as a challenge of skill and an opportunity to learn. Keep good posture whether seated or standing, bow to your partner with sincerity and intention, and don’t allow your mind to wander.

The danger of Tilt

In all sports and competitive events, participants run the risk of allowing their emotional state to negatively influence their decision-making process. When this affects performance, the competitor becomes “on tilt.” This is a wonderfully descriptive term for Aikido - not only can you lose mental focus, you can literally lose your balance as well!

A common scenario is that a performer will make one mistake and become frustrated, then overcompensate on the next attempt, which spirals into more mistakes and more frustration. If you don’t have a plan to refocus and return to a centered state, tilt can compound your mistakes and make the whole test much more difficult. To make matters worse, it can be very hard to identify tilt in yourself during the stress of a big event.​The most common issue during tests and demonstrations is that a performer reacts to the anxiety of the event by becoming ‘too tight’- characterized by fast, choppy movements, stiff shoulders and hips, and a lack of connection with uke. Sometimes, in an effort to relax, a tester will instead become ‘too loose’- arms hanging limply, taking long pauses or shuffling around between techniques. Both of these attitudes are forms of tilt that can create mistakes, which in turn can lead to distracting negative thoughts. “I’m screwing this up… I must look so bad right now… I can’t do this…I just want it to be over.” If this gets really bad, a tester will draw a complete blank, or just do something random while ignoring the instructor. The very worst outcome is that carelessness will lead to injury.

Performance distractions​Diligent training and preparation are the only things that you can use to increase your chances of a successful performance, whether you are trying to win a baseball game, deliver a dance recital, or pass an Aikido test. During the event itself, the greatest distraction you may face is thinking about the outcome of the day. Can you win the game? Finish the ballet? Pass the test? How great it will be if you emerge victorious! How sad and how shameful if you fail. The truth is that focusing on the outcome of your test is totally worthless to the action itself, and just an opening for mental tilt.​No matter how hard you try or how badly you want to succeed, nothing in the world is certain or completely under control. Unexpected problems arise all the time. Sudden injuries can disrupt the performance, and even a small accident can throw off your flow. There are wardrobe malfunctions, illnesses, and venue disasters that are impossible to foresee. Sometimes your uke will make their own mistakes, or refuse to cooperate as expected. Sometimes everything will be going great until Sensei asks for a technique that you haven’t practiced, or haven’t even heard of!

Overcoming Tilt​Testing is much easier if you can avoid the trap of becoming “results oriented.” Despite your best efforts, the results of your performance will be out of your control, and therefore no effort should be wasted in worrying about them. Put one hundred percent of your attention and energy into the movement that you are currently executing. Do not think about the end of the test, do not worry about the next technique, and do not dwell on the one you just finished, whether you were satisfied or not. This is why “test like you train” becomes such an important motto: if you have done the technique in class hundreds or thousands of times, then simply let yourself do it. The fact that the stakes feel higher, the setting is different and everyone is watching, makes no difference whatsoever.​Of course, this is easier said than done, and we are all only human. Mistakes WILL happen, and you will have an emotional response to them. It’s important to have a plan to get back on track when things start to go awry. The first step in handling emotions is to acknowledge and experience them rather than clash with or deny what you are feeling. Anger, frustration and anxiety are accompanied by specific physical sensations, and often they will pass if you simply take a moment to observe them. Breathing is an incredibly valuable tool for refocusing and staying centered. Distracting emotions can also be managed by replacing negative thought patterns with positive ones. This can be a very intentional process. Just as we seek to remove the opportunity for uke to strike us or reverse our techniques, so must we be wary of allowing openings in our mental attitude. Here are some examples of negative thoughts that can be changed into positives:

​It may seem cheesy or insincere, but thoughts and even facial expressions have a great effect on your emotional state and external attitude. This is why it is so important to have fun with your training, and not let it become a chore or just a daily workout to get through. Let the joy of Aikido shine through on test day! Smile, kiai with enthusiasm, and you will find yourself enjoying the moment in spite of all difficulties.

​Do we need to take tests to learn Aikido? Definitely not. Some people love the attention and adrenaline of taking a test, while others would prefer a more organic promotion process without all the fuss. For the dojo leadership, it is a useful metric for the progress of each pupil, but rank is by no means directly correlated to ability.

​The true tests of your training most often occur outside the dojo, in times and places that you would least expect, where nobody cares about the color of your belt. Whether it’s a matter of actual self-defense or simply responding to a stressful situation, the true value of dedication and training like you test will reveal itself when you need it most.

The Kangeiko 2018 group; the photo is just as groggy and blurry as our mornings!

2/16/2018. Earlier today, in the darkness of the morning, the Aikido Institute completed its yearly Kangeiko training. Kudos and omedetou to all who participated!

​For many years, our dojo's Kangeiko has consisted of 4 weeks of weapons training in the 6-7am morning classes, culminating in 1,000 bokken strikes on the final day. The gang got through it this year with flying colors --no counting mess-ups!

This year was the first year of Kangeiko without Kim Peuser sensei leading. Deborah and Dave had big shoes to fill. The weapons theme was Bokken practices from Iwama: Inagaki Sensei's Awase and Kumi Tachi Henka. It was a good chance to review what we learned in Iwama this past October and share it with those who didn't go. We'll be looking to review these practices again in the future!

Keeping with tradition, we chipped in and got some 2018 Kangeiko shwag! Get yours next year!

About

The KIAI is the Aikido Institute's official blog, consisting of articles, announcements and other postings from dojo members.

​The KIAI was originally a paper newsletter, founded by Howard Hoa Newens Sensei who was dojo-cho of our dojo for a number of years in the late 80s and in the 90s. It started in it's early format in 1995. (Currently, some of the early issues are missing from our collection!). It was remixed into a blog starting in April 2017..

Part of the idea is that reflecting and writing about Aikido furthers and strengthens our practice. We welcome articles and other works from all dojo members and from others as well (send us a note below!).

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Aiki Integrated Arts, dba the Aikido Institute, is a 501(c)(3) Nonprofit Organization. Our mission is to provide instruction to the public about the art of Aikido and other movement arts, for the benefit of the practitioners and the community at large. All of our instructors teach on a volunteer basis, and proceeds from tuition go directly into fulfilling our mission. For more info, please go here.